Dear Parents and Carers,

I thank you all for your continued care for each other, our children and our staff over what has been a very sad and difficult couple of weeks for our school community.

As we continue to reflect on the life of our very loved former principal Mrs Moore, and the legacy she has left here at St Joseph's, I would like to share some beautiful memories from some of our students. When they spoke about Mrs Moore, they did so with smiles and sadness, remembering her love for them, her kindness and sense of fun.

Student Reflections about Mrs Moore

My main memory of Mrs Moore was that she was always smiling at the gate. She was always inclusive and welcoming

Charlotte

Mrs Moore was a really nice principal because she was very kind to us. She used to dance a lot and sometimes came into our classroom to say hello.

Gus

I remember she always cared for us. She never told us off if we did something bad. She was really kind.

Nicky

Mrs Moore was a kind principal. She was fair and kind and she always cared for us.

Finn

Mrs Moore was incredible with neuro-diverse children. I know she helped my brother a lot. She really put a lot of effort into choosing the right teachers for our school. She was thoughtful and caring and always remembered every child's name. She really, really cared.

Stella

Mrs Moore was always easy to talk to and welcoming to everyone. She gave the school good spirit.

Pip

Mrs Moore was very kind as a principal and she used to come out on Friday for the disco and she dance along to the songs.

Otis

I loved how she was always brought joy to your day if you were sad. She was always really funny and made me laugh.

Lucy

She was kind to us and she was really loving. And she was always said hi to every student in the school. And she also put on the songs for Friday Disco and danced outside with us.

Valentina

One of the amazing things about Mrs Moore was that she was always great to talk to. She was welcoming in the school and she could always make you smile even if you were not having a great day. She would bring a smile to my face. It is really sad to see her go and I will remember her always and miss her.

Bridget

Mrs Moore was loving and always kind. She was never sad. She loved singing wth me. I remember when some of my friends took a picture of me with her and she had a moustache on. And she used to come into our class and dance a lot.

Piper

Mrs Moore was one in a billion. She always looked out for everyone. On my first day of Prep, she welcomed me really well and she made me feel like I would fit in really well. I loved watching her dance on a Friday and I loved all of the jokes that Mrs Moore and Mr Earl did at the start of assemblies.

Callum

Mrs Moore always treated everyone with respect and kindness, no matter who they were. And the reason why I came to this school was because of how nice she was.

Cooper

Mrs Moore was so nice to everyone. She always knew what was right for everyone. She treated everyone with kindness and respect no matter who they are or what they did. And she is the reason why the school is what it is today.

Alfred

Mrs Moore would always dance with us on a Friday and she came into our classrooms and looked around at what we were doing.

Grace C

I remember every Friday at second break she would always come out to the playground and have a dance with the music playing and with the children.

Jamie

It was really fun when Mrs Moore came out dancing on Fridays with us. It really put a smile on my face.

Maximillian

I thought Mrs Moore was a very good principal and she was always kind to me and she never got mad with anyone in the school.

Arabella

Mrs Moore was a wonderful principal and she used to dance with us. Whenever we got in trouble she made sure we were not going to do it again, but she was still kind.

George

A Prayer for Mrs Moore

Dear God,

Thank You for the gift of Mrs Moore and all that she brought to our lives.

She was more than a principal.

She was a leader, a role model and a friend.

We remember how she made people feel welcome, how she believed in fairness, and how her door and her heart were always open.

She helped shape our school into a place where everyone felt they belonged.

Help us to live out the lessons she taught us

To be kind, to work hard, and to lift others up.

Bring comfort to her loved ones and strength to those who miss her.

May they feel surrounded by Your peace and the love of our community.

And as we move forward, may we honour her, not just with words, but through our actions, carrying her light with us wherever we go.

With gratitude and love for our Mrs Moore.

Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

Amen.

Michelle Moore's Funeral

Michelle Moore's funeral will be at 10:30am on Wednesday 25th June at St Joseph's Church, followed by the wake in the Parish Hall.

Fr Gallacher will be celebrating the life of Michelle at the Funeral Mass. Further details have been posted on our School Dojo and through Operoo.

Michelle's family appreciate the prayers and kindness shown to them at this very sad time.

Principal Network Prayer for Michelle Moore

This week, the South Central Principal Network gathered together for our scheduled meeting and to remember our dearest friend and colleague Michelle Moore. Matthew Shawcross, Principal at Sacred Heart Primary School, Fitzroy, led us in prayer. We prayed together and remembered Michelle.

Today, we gather not only to mourn the loss of Michelle Moore, a colleague, leader, and friend, but to celebrate the extraordinary life of a woman whose love of children and commitment to Catholic education left a deep and lasting mark on so many of us. In this space, we remember Michelle with gratitude, entrusting her soul to God's eternal care.

Loving and eternal God,

You are the source of all goodness and the author of every vocation.

Today we remember your faithful servant Michelle, who dedicated her life to leading with compassion, teaching with wisdom, and serving with unwavering faith.

Welcome her into the light of your presence,and grant us the peace and courage to continue the mission she loved so deeply.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 25:21

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

“The Kingdom of Heaven will be like someone going on a journey, who called their servants and entrusted their wealth to them. To one they gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to their ability. Then they went on their journey. The servant who had received five bags of gold went at once and put her money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the servant who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid their master’s money.“ After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The servant who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ she said, ‘youentrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’“Her master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!

The Gospel of the Lord.

For Michelle, that she may rest in the eternal peace of God’s kingdom.